The Air Traffic/Radar Controller at the Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Mr. Rafiq Arogunjo, who was on duty when a Dana Air plane crashed on June 3 in Iju-Ishaga area of the state, said the failure of the two engines of the plane before the crash was a strange occurrence.
Arogunjo expressed surprise at the development during Tuesday’s sitting of a Lagos Coroner, Mr. Oyetade Komolafe, who presides over an inquest into the deaths that resulted from the incident.He was led at the proceedings which held in Ikeja by counsel representing the National Airspace Management Agency, Mr. Obi Okwusogu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
Arogunjo made this comment when the coroner asked him to recommend what needed to be done to avert a future occurrence of the incident.He said, “For Dana, the case of dual engine failure is too rare; I’m surprised. But we will await for the final report of the Accident Investigation Bureau.”
He said he was informed that the plane was airborne in Abuja at 13.58 GMT (2.58pm) and that the Abuja radar handed over the plane to him at 14.43 GMT (3.43pm), the time when the plane arrived the Lagos air space.
He, however, said the pilot of the plane informed him at 14.42 GMT (3:42pm) that the plane had lost its two engines and that at 14.45 GMT (3.45pm), the plane “went into coasted status” (disappeared from the radar.He said, “At 11NM (Nautical Miles) to touch down zone, the aircraft declared ‘Mayday Mayday’ (a distress call) that she had lost her two engines.
“Following distress call at 14.42GMT (3.42), I instructed tower to deploy full emergency procedure which was first to call airport fire service. At 14.42 NMIA fire service was contacted.
“At 14.43 (3.43pm), I observed the aircraft on radar with dropping speed and altitude. Then at 14.45 (3.45pm) the aircraft went into coasted status (fading from the scope) and later disappeared. I informed tower about this and few seconds later, tower said they could see the aircraft on the extended.”
According to Arogunjo, his duty as the traffic controller includes constant communication with the aircraft within the Lagos coverage of his radar to prevent collision of the planes.He added that he was also saddled with the responsibility of activating communication mechanism for notifying relevant organisations for search and rescue mission during emergency situation or a crash.
After informing the Aerodrome Controller of the impending crash, Arogunjo said the Aerodrome Controller then pressed the crash alarm bell to alert all rescue organisations on a checklist.He said the organisations, which included the Search and Rescue Team of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria and the National Emergency and Management Authority were promptly contacted.
Source: The Punch Newspaper